Lahore, October 31,2026: A blistering century by Fakhar Zaman, supported by half-centuries from Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas, guided Pakistan to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging target of 326 runs, Pakistan reached 329-7 in 48.3 overs, securing victory with nine balls to spare and clinching the tri-series title.
Pakistan suffered an early setback as Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in his opening two overs, dismissing Maaz Sadaqat (5) and Babar Azam (0) to leave the hosts struggling at 14-2.
However, Fakhar Zaman and young wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig steadied the innings with a magnificent 149-run partnership for the third wicket. Both left-handers scored impressive half-centuries, putting Pakistan firmly back in contention.
Maheesh Theekshana eventually broke the partnership in the 27th over, dismissing Baig for a well-compiled 74 off 75 balls, including 11 boundaries. Pakistan were 163-3 at that stage.
Fakhar continued his assault, adding 57 runs with Salman Ali Agha for the fourth wicket and bringing up his 12th ODI century in the process.
Madushanka ended Fakhar’s outstanding innings in the 34th over, bowling the opener for a magnificent 127 off 99 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and six sixes.
Salman also departed shortly afterwards for 17 off 25 balls, leaving Pakistan at 230-5 and the contest finely balanced.
Youngsters Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas then took charge, producing a crucial 94-run partnership that brought Pakistan within touching distance of victory.
Minhas played an aggressive innings of 61 off just 31 deliveries, smashing four sixes and three fours before Asitha Fernando dismissed him in the 48th over. Fernando struck again in the same over, removing Faheem Ashraf for a golden duck to leave Pakistan at 324-7.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, however, finished the contest in emphatic fashion, smashing Madushanka for a six over square leg on the third delivery of the 49th over to seal Pakistan’s victory.
Madushanka was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 63 runs in 9.3 overs. Fernando picked up two wickets, while Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage took one each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 325-8 in their allotted 50 overs after being put in to bat.
Openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis provided a solid foundation, putting together an 87-run partnership for the first wicket.
Salman Ali Agha broke the stand by trapping Fernando lbw for 38 off 49 balls, including three fours and a six.
Captain Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu but could manage only eight runs before Salman struck again, completing a caught-and-bowled dismissal to reduce Sri Lanka to 109-2 in 21.3 overs.
Pavan Rathnayake then partnered Kamindu, and the duo launched an impressive counterattack, adding 146 runs for the third wicket to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position.
Kamindu reached his maiden ODI century, producing a magnificent 131 off 128 deliveries, including 12 fours and two sixes.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi eventually ended the partnership by dismissing Kamindu lbw. He followed it up by removing Dasun Shanaka, who scored 17 off just nine balls, to leave Sri Lanka at 279-4.
Haris Rauf then dismissed the dangerous Rathnayake for 77 off 65 deliveries, an innings featuring eight boundaries.
Pakistan continued to make inroads in the closing overs as Naseem Shah removed Janith Liyanage for six, while Haris dismissed Dunith Wellalage for three.
Naseem claimed his second wicket by dismissing Sahan Arachchige for 15, leaving Sri Lanka eight down. However, Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana added valuable runs in the final overs to take their side to 325-8.
Fernando remained unbeaten on six, while Theekshana finished on nine not out.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets apiece, playing key roles in restricting Sri Lanka to 325.
